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One World Trade Center

Image: David Vives

At a symbolic 1,776 feet, One World Trade Center proudly stands as America’s tallest building . Rising from the ashes of tragedy, this New York City landmark is a testament to resilience and unity.

Completed in 2014, it has been affectionately nicknamed the "Freedom Tower." Its sleek design features reflective glass that mirrors the sky, creating an ever-changing facade. The building houses offices, observation decks, and a museum dedicated to 9/11. Simply beautiful!

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Central Park Tower

Image: Mason C

Central Park Tower, the world’s tallest residential building , reaches 1,550 feet into Manhattan’s skyline. Completed in 2020, it’s sometimes called the "Billionaires’ Row Tower" for its ultra-luxury apartments.

This architectural masterpiece offers jaw-dropping views of Central Park and beyond. It’s not just tall; it’s opulent, with a private club, pools, and even its own ballroom. If you’ve ever dreamed of living among the clouds, this is the place to do it (if you can afford it, of course).

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Willis Tower

Image: Margo

Chicago’s Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower, was the world’s tallest building for 25 years (we did say there was some friendly competition going on!). Its 1,451-foot height dominates the skyline and has been a beacon of innovation since 1973.

The building’s unique design uses nine bundled tubes for extra stability against those famous Chicago winds. Visitors can step out onto The Ledge, a glass box extending from the 103rd floor, for a heart-pounding view. A true Midwestern marvel!

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111 West 57th Street

Image: Parrish Freeman

Known as the "Steinway Tower," this ultra-skinny skyscraper is as much art as architecture. Rising 1,428 feet above Manhattan, it’s the thinnest skyscraper in the world and the fourth tallest in our country.

Its design nods to New York’s Jazz Age glamour, blending terracotta details with modern engineering. Completed in 2022, it houses luxury apartments that come with breathtaking views and equally jaw-dropping price tags.

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One Vanderbilt

Image: Lukas Kyzur

Standing 1,401 feet tall, One Vanderbilt is a relatively new addition to New York City’s skyline. Completed in 2020, it’s located right next to Grand Central Terminal .

The building’s futuristic design is matched by its cutting-edge features, including Summit One Vanderbilt, an immersive observation experience. Its elevators take you to the top in a flash, and once you’re there, you’ll be treated to sweeping views of the city.

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432 Park Avenue

Image: Miikka A.

At 1,396 feet, 432 Park Avenue is all about modern simplicity . Completed in 2015, it is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world.

ts grid-like windows give it a timeless look, but don’t be fooled—the apartments inside scream luxury. With amenities like private dining rooms and a spa, residents live the high life, pun intended! Love it or hate it, you can’t miss it.

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Trump International Hotel and Tower

Image: Kenny Eliason

Chicago’s Trump Tower, standing 1,388 feet tall, is a gleaming addition to the city’s skyline . Completed in 2009, its reflective surface mirrors the surrounding beauty of the Chicago River.

This skyscraper combines luxury residences, a hotel, and fine dining. Its signature feature is the outdoor terrace, which offers stunning views of the Windy City.

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30 Hudson Yards

Image: Frank Nürnberger

At 1,268 feet, 30 Hudson Yards is the centerpiece of New York’s futuristic Hudson Yards development.

Completed in 2019, it’s home to The Edge, the Western Hemisphere’s highest outdoor sky deck . The building boasts offices, dining, and even direct access to a luxury mall. Its sleek design symbolizes the city’s constant evolution. It has it all—just like the city itself!

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Empire State Building

Image: Chris Barbalis

This may not be the tallest, but it certainly is one of the most iconic! The Empire State Building, at 1,250 feet, is a timeless symbol of New York City.

Completed in 1931 during the Great Depression , it was once the world’s tallest building. Its Art Deco design and iconic silhouette have graced countless movies and postcards. The city views it offers are simply unbeatable. No trip to New York is complete without a visit.

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Bank of America Tower

Image: David Vives

Rising 1,200 feet in Midtown Manhattan, the Bank of America Tower is a green marvel. It was completed in 2010 and is one of the world’s most eco-friendly skyscrapers .

It uses innovative technology to reduce energy consumption and even collects rainwater. With its sharp, crystalline design, it looks as modern as its environmental features. This tower shows that sustainability and style can go hand in hand. Who knew going green could look so good?

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St. Regis Chicago

Image: Andrew LaDeur

At 1,191 feet, the St. Regis Chicago adds a touch of elegance to the city’s skyline. Completed in 2020, its design is inspired by a flowing river , with undulating glass panels that shimmer in the sunlight. It’s a mix of hotel and residential spaces, with luxury oozing from every corner.

The building’s unique silhouette stands out in the architectural playground that is Chicago. If beauty were a competition, this skyscraper would be a top contender.

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Aon Center

Image: Erol Ahmed

The Aon Center, at 1,136 feet, is a classic fixture in Chicago’s skyline. Built in 1973, it was originally clad in white marble, though granite replaced it later for durability. Its clean, rectangular design exudes timeless elegance.

Home to offices and observation areas , it’s a favorite among architecture lovers. You know how they are all about simplicity— the ultimate form of sophistication!

1

The $2 bill is real and still legal

Image: Alicia Razuri

Yep, that mysterious $2 bill featuring Thomas Jefferson isn’t a collector’s fantasy. It’s still produced today (though rarely), and the reverse shows the Signing of the Declaration of Independence. People tend to save them, thinking they’re rare, but you can spend them just like any other bill.

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The penny used to be made of pure copper

Image: Adam Nir

During WWII, copper was needed for ammo, so in 1943, pennies were made from steel and coated in zinc. They looked silver and rusted easily, some even stuck to magnets! Today, most pennies are actually 97.5% zinc with just a thin copper coating.

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George Washington didn’t appear on the first $1 bill.

Image: Jonathan Borba

The very first $1 bill (from 1862) featured Salmon P. Chase, the Secretary of the Treasury at the time. Washington didn't show up until 1869, and Chase had a not-so-humble role in placing his own face there.

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There’s a tiny owl hidden on the $1 bill

Image: rc.xyz NFT gallery

Take a magnifying glass to the upper-right corner of the "1" on a dollar bill. Some people swear there’s a tiny owl or spider hidden in the pattern, said to symbolize wisdom or surveillance. Officially, it's just part of the ornate design, but still a fun little mystery!

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The $100,000 bill actually existed

Image: Dmytro Glazunov

No, you can’t use it at Target. Printed in 1934 and featuring Woodrow Wilson, this gold certificate was used only for transactions between Federal Reserve Banks. It was never meant for public use, and owning one today is illegal!

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Lincoln faces the other way for a reason

Image: JustStartInvesting

On most bills, presidents face to the right. But on the penny, Lincoln faces left. One theory is that the designer used a portrait that happened to face left, but it also makes Lincoln the only president looking "inward" when coins are lined up in value order.

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"In God We Trust" wasn’t always on our money

Image: Jonathan Borba

That phrase didn’t become mandatory on U.S. currency until 1955 during the Cold War. It first appeared on coins in 1864, but the push to include it everywhere came as a nod to America’s spiritual identity in contrast to atheistic communism.

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Coins last way longer than bills

Image: Barry A

Your average dollar bill survives about 6.6 years in circulation. Coins? They can keep going for 30 years or more! That’s why coins are still a budget-friendly way for the government to make money — and we mean that literally!

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The buildings on the back aren’t random

Image: Ryan Quintal

Each bill’s reverse side typically features a building related to the person on the front. For instance, the Lincoln Memorial is on the back of the $5 bill (with Lincoln on the front), and the White House appears behind Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill. The choice of course had to do with government history itself! Which building do you think is missing?

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There are secret codes on every bill

Image: Andrew Dawes

Look closely and you’ll spot tiny letters and numbers that identify which printing plate was used and where the bill was made. Ever see a tiny "F6" on a $1? That means it was printed in Atlanta, Georgia.

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A dollar is technically made of cloth

Image: Live Richer

Despite calling it "paper money," U.S. bills are actually made of 75% cotton and 25% linen. That’s why they feel so distinct, and don’t shred like regular paper when they get wet (though they still don’t love laundry day).

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25 times a year

Image: Johannes Plenio

Its tall, elegant steel structure is definitely captivating; no wonder thousands of photographers, painters, and filmmakers have chosen the Empire State Building as the backdrop for their work. However, that imposing height comes with something a little scary: it's estimated that the building is struck by lightning about 25 times a year! Fortunately, it was designed to handle these strikes, so it's completely safe.

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Really fast

Image: Guilherme Cunha

There are buildings that took decades to complete. But this is not the case with the Empire State Building. In fact, this is one of the fastest skyscrapers ever built: It took only one year and 45 days to erect such an architectural masterpiece. That means it was built at a rate of an incredible 4.5 floors per week!

3

Unlikely survivor

Image: Melanie Dretvic

It was 1945 when the Empire State Building was accidentally struck by a B-25 Mitchell bomber due to the thick fog that covered NYC. A worker named Betty Lou Oliver was on the 80th floor when the plane crashed into the 79th. She was severely injured, but incredibly, she survived. Hours later, while being rescued in an elevator, the damaged cables gave way, and Betty fell 75 floors to the basement. She survived that too!

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40 million dollars

Image: Pepi Stojanovski

A tremendous building like the Empire State couldn't be built on a shoestring budget. When it was constructed —in the midst of the Great Depression, no less— it cost about $41 million . That's a hefty sum, even today! Adjusted for inflation, that would be around $600 to $700 million in 2025. Wow!

5

Secret floor

Image: roemer overdiep

If you are afraid of heights, be prepared: the Empire State Building has two public observation decks, one on the 86th floor and another on the 102nd. But there's another one, and it's even higher! It's located on the 103rd floor, but it's not open to the public and is mostly used for VIPs or special occasions.

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High security

Image: Pawel Czerwinski

Although an incredible 4 million people visit the building each year on average, getting in isn't easy. Many visitors say it feels like going through airport security, with X-ray machines and metal detectors everywhere. Visitors must also pass through a security checkpoint before reaching the observation decks, and the building is constantly monitored by cameras and security guards.

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King Kong

Image: Simon Ray

We all remember the iconic scene of the imposing King Kong climbing the towering mast of the Empire State Building. And while that image lives on in our minds, there's one detail many people overlook: When the original King Kong movie premiered in 1933, the Empire State Building was less than two years old! Plus, at the time, the building still held the title of tallest in the world, making King Kong's climb even more epic.

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Underground waterways

Image: Evgeniy Smersh

Beneath what is now NYC, there was a network of streams and rivers that flowed freely before Manhattan and other boroughs covered them. The land below the Empire State Building is no exception, and these old underground waterways still occasionally cause complications. For example, during heavy rains, water can rise and seep into the building's wind tunnels, sometimes flooding areas with up to two feet of water.

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The original plans

Image: Jaunt and Joy

The Empire State Building was originally supposed to have a dirigible anchor! That's right; the mast at the top of the building was meant to serve as a mooring post for dirigibles, with a docking platform and a door for passengers to disembark. However, due to the extreme height, high winds, and overall potential danger, the idea was discarded. Today, the mast is used for antennas and other communications equipment.

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Green building

Image: Chris Ladouceur

This iconic building that defines New York's skyline is considered a "green building." And no, it has nothing to do with the color of its walls; it's about something much more meaningful. The sustainability modifications that the Empire State has undergone over the years have made it one of the most energy-efficient buildings of its size, minimizing its environmental impact and earning it the title of "green building."